What is the spleen?
In Chinese medicine, the spleen is an organ located in the middle jiao, under the diaphragm, and in the stomach. The main functions of the spleen are to activate and transform, to elevate and cleanse, and to regulate the blood. The main function of the Spleen is to promote digestion, elevate and clear the blood, and regulate the blood. The fact that the Spleen is the main transporter of water means that the Spleen is capable of transmitting water and liquids. Transportation of water and grains means that the spleen can turn water and grains (food and drink) into essence and transport the essence to the whole body; transportation of water means that the spleen can transfer the excess water in the absorbed water and grains to the lungs and kidneys in a timely manner, and through the qi function of the lungs and kidneys, the water will be transformed into sweat and urine to be discharged out of the body. The Spleen is the main ascending and clearing, which means that the Spleen absorbs the nutrients such as water and grain essence and micro-organisms, and transfers them to the heart, lungs, head and eyes, and generates qi and blood through the role of the heart and lungs to nourish the whole body, so there is a "Spleen is healthy by ascending". The spleen is the main blood regulator, i.e. the spleen has the function of regulating the blood in the meridians and preventing it from escaping from the meridians. Spleen's function of transportation, not only is the main function of the spleen, but also for the whole body's vital activities is crucial, so called the spleen and stomach for the "day after this", "the source of qi and blood biochemistry". The main functions of the spleen are digestion and absorption, transfer of nutrients, transportation of water and fluid, and the regulation of blood. The spleen is related to muscles, limbs, lips and mouth.1. The spleen is the main transportation: one is to transport the essence of water and grain. Diet enters the stomach, and after the stomach's decay, it is digested and absorbed by the spleen, and its essence is transferred to the lungs through the meridians. Then the heart and lungs transport it throughout the body for the needs of various tissues and organs. The first is the transportation of water and liquids. Liquid water into the stomach, but also through the spleen's transport function and distribution of the whole body (see the specific operation of the kidney water schematic). If the spleen's function of transporting and transforming water, grain and essence is not normal, then the source of qi and blood is insufficient, and it is easy to have muscle wasting, tiredness of the limbs, abdominal distension and enlarged stools, and even cause qi and blood weakness and other diseases. If the spleen's function of water transportation is not normal, it can lead to water retention, moisture accumulation into drink, moisture accumulation into phlegm or edema, etc. 2. Spleen blood: the normal operation of blood in the veins, in addition to relying on the heart's promotion, the liver's regulation, but also depends on the spleen qi's regimen of control, so that it will not overflow outside the veins through the operation of the meridian. Therefore, if the spleen qi is sufficient, the blood will not flow uncontrollably. If the spleen qi is weak, the gas does not take in blood and overflow outside the veins, that is, the so-called "spleen does not unify the blood", there can be excessive menstruation, leakage, blood in the stool, subcutaneous hemorrhage, and other chronic bleeding disorders.3. Spleen main muscle and limbs: the human body's muscles and limbs rely on the body's qi, blood, fluids and other substances to nutrients, and the source of these nutrients and depends on the spleen. Therefore, the spleen qi healthy transportation, nutrition is sufficient, then the muscle plump and strong, limbs activity is strong. On the contrary, weak spleen qi, lack of nutrition, muscle wasting or atrophy, limb weakness. 4. open orifice in the mouth, its Hua in the lips: spleen and lips have a close relationship with the lips, lips can reflect the function of the spleen and stomach, through the mouth of the taste function and the color of the lips, you can understand the strength of the spleen. If the spleen qi is healthy, the lips will be red and moist, and the mouth will be able to know the five flavors. On the contrary, if the spleen is weak, the lips will be pale and the food will be tasteless.